Variety approval given for 2 lines

LSU AgCenter rice breeder Dr. Steve Linscombe reports successful seed increases in 2010 for these two lines – LA2051 and LA2162. Both were recently approved as varieties to be made available on a limited basis for foundation seed in 2011. The varieties being released are named CL152 and Caffey.

Approval was given in November for two lines under development by LSU AgCenter rice breeder Dr. Steve Linscombe.

Those lines, formerly known as LA2051 and LA2162, are a medium-grain line named in honor of a former LSU AgCenter official and a new Clearfield long-grain line.

The medium-grain line, LA2162, was approved for release with the name of Caffey. It is named in honor of Dr. Rouse Caffey, who was the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station director from 1962 until 1970 and chancellor of the LSU AgCenter from 1984 to 1997, as well as many other posts in the AgCenter and the LSU

System. Caffey said he started his rice work as a student in 1955, so a variety named for him is deeply rewarding.

"I feel honored, and it’s very satisfying," Caffey said. "I’ve had a long association with rice, and I still maintain my interest in the rice industry."

Linscombe said Caffey’s work in rice research paved the way for the LSU AgCenter to become one of the top facilities of its kind.

"Dr. Caffey had the foresight to advance the research at the station, and naming a variety for him is a way of thanking him for those efforts," Linscombe said.

The new Clearfield long-grain line, which was called LA2051 during

its development, has been designated as CL152.

Linscombe said CL152 has somewhat lower yield potential than CL151 but its grain quality is superior and it has more resistance to lodging, straighthead and blast.

"We think it’s going to be a good companion for the Clearfield system," Linscombe said.

The second line is a conventional, non-Clearfield medium-grain, according to Linscombe, who said Caffey has consistently out-yielded Neptune and Jupiter for the past three years.

Linscombe also said its grain is bolder, similar to Calrose, a quality preferred by many end users.

Now 11 years in the making, Linscombe said Caffey started in 1999 under his efforts. During the process, Dr. Xueyan Sha took over medium-grain breeding, then Dr. Brooks Blanche took over the medium-grain program until he left last year and finally Linscombe resumed medium-grain work.

Linscombe said a number of other first-year lines, especially Clearfield lines, made promising debuts in multilocation testing.

"There’s a good chance for some good material we can be talking about a year or so from now," he said.

Checkoff funds for this project in 2010: $413,000 (This article was published in the 2011 Louisiana Rice Research Board Annual Report.)